Senator John McCain has passed away at the age of 81, a year after being diagnosed with brain cancer

by Asfa Shakeel

Senator John McCain, the veteran and twice-defeated presidential candidate, has passed away at the age of 81, four days before his 82nd birthday.

Senator John McCain has passed away at the age of 81. (Image source: Instagram/John McCain)

A statement from McCain’s office reads, “Senator John Sidney McCain III died at 4:28pm on August 25, 2018. With the Senator when he passed were his wife Cindy and their family. At his death, he had served the United States of America faithfully for sixty years.”

The Senator was part of the Vietnam War force and almost died during the efforts. He was also a prisoner of war until 1973. He retired from the Navy in 1981 and entered politics. In 1982, he was elected to the US House of Representatives and served two terms. He then entered the US Senate in 1987 and was since reelected five times, most recently in 2016.

He was elected into the Senate five times. (Image source: Instagram/John McCain)

In 2017, he reduced his role in the Senate after being diagnosed with brain cancer. On August 24, the McCain family released a statement clarifying that the Senator had decided to refuse further treatment. His wife Cindy McCain released the full statement on her Twitter.

(Image source: Twitter/Cindy McCain)

She also commented on the later passing of her husband, writing, “My heart is broken. I am so lucky to have lived the adventure of loving this incredible man for 38 years. He passed the way he lived, on his own terms, surrounded by the people he loved, in the place he loved best.”

(Image source: Twitter/Cindy McCain)

Cindy McCain released a statement about the situation. (Image source: Instagram/John McCain)

In his memoir published in May, McCain touched on the topic of leaving the world, saying, “It’s been quite a ride. I’ve known great passions, seen amazing wonders, fought in a war, and helped make peace. I’ve lived very well and I’ve been deprived of all comforts. I’ve been as lonely as a person can be and I’ve enjoyed the company of heroes. I’ve suffered the deepest despair and experienced the highest exultation. I made a small place for myself in the story of America and the history of my times.”

McCain had been planning his own funeral services over the last year. President Trump is not invited, but former Presidents Obama and George W. Bush have both been asked to give eulogies, according to CNN.

McCain’s daughter, Meghan, released a statement in honor of her father as well, saying, “All that I am is thanks to him. Now that he is gone, the task of my lifetime is to live up to his example, the expectations and his love.”

(Image source: Twitter/Meghan McCain)

McCain’s daughter Meghan also wrote a tribute to her father. (Image source: Instagram/John McCain)

Other current and former members of government also released statements about McCain’s passing, including Obama, Hillary Clinton, Joe Biden and Donald Trump.

(Image source: Twitter/Barack Obama)

(Image source: Twitter/Joe Biden)

(Image source: Twitter/Donald J. Trump)

(Image source: Twitter/Hillary Clinton )

John McCain ran for the Presidency of the United States in 2000 and 2008.